A former Alton police officer was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison for stealing evidence, including money taken in bank robberies.

Officer Mickey Dooley, a 24-year veteran of the department, was found guilty at a jury trial earlier this year.

Dooley was indicted in January after an internal police audit found that cash was missing from the department's evidence vault. Police say Dooley controlled the vault.

Federal prosecutors said Dooley lied to investigators, disposed of money stolen from banks that was being kept in the evidence room, and committed wire fraud and other crimes.

Dooley was ordered to pay restitution totaling $48,738.58.